by Paul Bass, Maya McFadden and Thomas Breen
The other Rosa: Socialist state senate candidate Rosa Pepper-Macias (second from right) at an election night watch party at The Cannon. Early results show Democratic candidate Al Paolillo Jr. handily beating Pepper-Macias. Credit: Thomas Breen photo
Democrats Tuesday night cruised to victory in all of New Haven’s elections for state legislative seats, while U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro claimed victory for a 19th two-year term in which she is in line to land a top role crafting the federal budget.
New Haven Democrats held all of the city’s state legislative seats: State Sen. Gary Winfield and Sen.-Elect Al Paolillo Jr. (who’s replacing retiring Sen. Martin Looney) and State Reps. Eli Sabin, Juan Candelaria, Roland Lemar, Wildaliz Bermúdez, Toni Walker, and Steve Winter. Bermúdez and Sabin won first terms.
Bermúdez was the only one to face a Republican opponent, Anthony Acri, whom she led 3,806 to 1,100 or 77.5 to 22.4 percent, with most votes counted (except absentee ballots and same-day registration votes, which mathematically cannot change the outcome).
Paolillo faced a third-party candidate, socialist Rosa Pepper-Macias. Based on most votes cast in the election (minus absentee ballots and same-day registration votes), Paolillo led 3,597 to 237, or 94 to 6 percent, in New Haven. (The district includes parts of Hamden.)
Winfield is in line to play a stepped-up role in the next legislative session, when he is expected to become Senate majority leader.
As of 9:20 p.m., the Associated Press had not yet called any of the races for statewide office except governor, in which Democratic incumbent Gov. Ned Lamont defeated Republican challenger Ryan Fazio to secure a third four-year term. Other Democrats expected to win reelection included Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas, Attorney General William Tong, Treasurer Erick Russell, and Comptroller Sean Scanlon.
“New Haven sent a clear message. Our delegation won big up and down the ballot, and we’re welcoming two new members, Eli Sabin and Wildaliz Bermudez, who are going to serve this city well,” New Haven Democratic Town Chair Vin Mauro Jr. told the Independent. “New Haven’s voice in Hartford is going to be as strong as it’s ever been.”
Mauro said unofficial returns show New Haven producing bigger margins for Democrats up and down the ballot than four years ago.
DeLauro Declares Victory, Vows To Reverse “Gilded Age”
DeLauro celebrates with staff at Shubert victory party. Maya McFadden Photo
The biggest impact on New Haven may turn out to be the result of the Third U.S. Congressional District race pitting 18-term incumbent Democrat Rosa DeLauro against Republican challenger Christopher Lancia, Independent candidate Thomas Egan, and write-in candidate Andrew Rice.
Democrats are on course regain the majority of the U.S. House of Representatives. That means DeLauro is in line to return to a post as chair of the Apporpriations Committee, where she currently serves as ranking Democrat. The last time she held the position she not only helped determine how the federal budget was spent; she was also in a top position to deliver federal funds for New Haven nonprofits, infrastructure projects, and municipal aid. She’s also vowing to reprise her previous success in expanding the child tax credit, which lifted many families out of poverty. She announced on Friday that she plans to reintroduce a Medicare For All plan that would expand public health insurance while preserving private insurance.
DeLauro delivered a fiery victory speech before 75 to 80 supporters gathered on a red-and-blue balloon-festooned stage in the upstairs lounge of the Shubert Theatre. She vowed to use her regained position of power to help reverse two years of actions by the Trump administration. She vowed that Democrats will use their victory on Tuesday to reverse cuts to Medicaid and Obamacare health insurance subsidies, “end the Iran war,” raise the minimum wage, and “reduce the costs of health care and prescription drugs.”
“Yes, we’re going to go after Hegseth,” she said, to cheers, referring to President Trump’s defense secretary (aka “secretary of war”).
And she spoke of tackling Trump administraiton “corruption.”
“We need to reverse this Gilded Age,” DeLauro declared. “That work begins tonight, my friends.” Watch the speech below.
Same-Day Registration Moderator Dominic Tammaro (center) unlocks a bag of SDR ballots at 200 Orange St. Credit: Thomas Breen photo